The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching Illustrated [Mass Market Paperback]

Barbara Templeton (Author), Jamie Templeton (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: November 6, 2007

The key to fundamental flexibility.

Stretching is the safest way to keep your whole body in balance. Not only is it a great way to warm up, cool down, and prevent injuries, but it can also be used for non-impact toning and strengthening routines. Stretching can be done anywhere, anytime, and can serve as both a stress reliever and therapy for dozens of physical conditions, from strains to sports injuries. This invaluable guide includes:

• Simple step-by-step instructions
• Dozens of dedicated stretch routines designed to alleviate specific conditions, such as back pain and TMJ
• Hundreds of easy-to-follow illustrations
• Useful for serious athletes and fitness professionals as well as novices

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I wrote this book for you because I am living proof that you don't have to live with neck, shoulder, back or knee pain. I started stretching years ago and now I live pain free. You can too.

About the Author

Barbara Templeton is a professional yoga instructor and stretching expert. She teaches over 350 stretching techniques often combined with yoga to hundred of students. Jamie Templeton is a commercial artist.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (November 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592576214
• ISBN-13: 978-1592576210
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Stretching

More About the Author

Author of the Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching and Editor and contributor of the book Yoga of Heart, The Healing Power of Intimate Connection, Barbara Templeton has studied with many renowned yoga masters. Barbara takes these teachings to her public classes and private students to help them connect with the deeper aspects of yoga. Templeton received her formal yoga teacher certification from the famed Kripalu Center, the largest site for yoga and holistic health in the United States and she is a certified Vinyasa Krama teacher. She is a member of the Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Barbara Templeton, MS, E-RYT
providing peace and power to individuals through yoga
yoga - more peace more power

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Brilliant, February 6, 2008

By 

Jennifer Gilley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching Illustrated (Mass Market Paperback)

True to its title, this book is a no-nonsense guide to stretching. The layout is brilliant in its simplicity, making it easy to locate the perfect routine to reach your goal, whether you are looking to increase range of movement in one particular area or just increase overall flexibility. The illustrations are useful, clear and relevant. The "bonus information" boxes keep the reader safe and well-informed, and the step-by-step instructions are clear enough for a beginning exerciser but precise enough to be included in any exercise professional's library.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Stretching Book I've Seen!, January 3, 2008

By 

Maria "andrewsm51" (Seymour, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching Illustrated (Mass Market Paperback)

I have several books on strething and have used them for years but this book is the best by far! The descriptions are so well written and the diagrams are so good that it's almost like having a personal trainer with you as you are doing the stretches. The book covers every muscle group and area of the body and there is a great chapter on back care which we can all use.

I need to stretch every day as I have arthritis and associated aches and pains. This book helps me stretch with ease and pleasure. If I don't stretch every day I spend most of my day in pain.

Get this book! It is worth the small investment and it will pay you back 100 times over with increased mobility and less discomfort in everything you do!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stretching: Getting the Maximum from Investing the Minimum, January 21, 2008

By 

Marcia T. Hildebrand (Belmont, Vermont, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching Illustrated (Mass Market Paperback)

Throughout most of my life (pregnancies, stressful times, very busy times, etc.), I have turned to the practice of stretching to help me maintain a sense of feeling somewhat physically fit. I used to exercise alot and always used stretching before and after activities to prevent unnecessary discomfort, pain or injury from keeping me down. Now that I am a very busy mother and nursing student, stretching is a "rescue" for me that allows me to maintain flexibility and strength for the somewhat rare times I get to participate in moderate to strenuous exercise.
This book is great as it lays the groundwork for why we should stretch, gives you the mechanics of how to stretch and provides detailed information on particular focused stretching routines in the "Niche Stretching" section. I especially like the bonus information provided in the "stretch maximizer" boxes found throughout the book and the illustrations are excellent for us visual learners.
I plan to recommend this book to patients in my future nursing practice.